“I would help you if I could, but I can’t.  You had better ask Juliet herself.  She may tell you the reason.”

“How can I find her?”

“Go down to Rose Cottage and ask to see her,” suggested Basil.

“Your mother will not admit me.”

“That’s true enough.  Well, I’ll tell you what, Mallow, I’ll speak to Juliet and get her to make an appointment to see you.”

“I could write and ask her for one myself.”

“Oh, no, you couldn’t.  Mother will intercept all letters.”

“Upon my word—­” began Mallow angrily, then stopped.  It was useless to show his wrath before this silly boy, who could do no good and might do a deal of harm.  “Very well, then,” he said more mildly, “ask Juliet to meet me on the other side of Rexton, under the wall which runs round the unfinished house.”

Basil started.  “Why that place?” he asked nervously.

“It is as good as any other.”

“You can’t get inside.”

“That’s true enough.  But we can meet outside.  I have been inside though, and I made a mess of myself climbing the wall.”

“You were inside,” began Basil, then suddenly appeared relieved.  “I remember; you were there on the day after Aunt Selina was killed.”

“I have been there before that,” said Cuthbert, wondering why the young man avoided his eye in so nervous a manner.

“Not at—­at night?” murmured Saxon, looking away.

“Once I was there at night.  Why do you ask?”

“Oh, nothing—­nothing.  I was just thinking it’s a wild place in which to find one’s self at night.  By the way,” added Basil, as though anxious to change a disagreeable subject, “do you think Jarvey Hale a nice fellow?”

“No, I don’t.  I have met him at Maraquito’s, and I don’t like him.  He’s a bounder.  Moreover, a respectable lawyer has no right to gamble to the extent he does.  I wonder Miss Loach trusted him.”

“Perhaps she didn’t know of his gambling,” said Basil, his eyes wandering everywhere but to the face of his companion; “but, should you think Hale would be hard on a fellow?”

“Yes, I should.  Do you owe him money?”

“A few pounds.  He won’t give me time to pay.  And I say, Mallow, I suppose all Aunt Selina’s affairs will be left in Hale’s hands?”

“I can’t say.  It depends upon the will.  If everything is left to Juliet, unconditionally, she may take her affairs out of Hale’s hands.  I should certainly advise her to do so.  He’s too intimate with Maraquito and her gambling salon to be a decent lawyer.”

“You do seem down on gambling,” said Basil, “yet you gamble yourself a lot.  But I expect Juliet will change her lawyer.  I hope she will.”

“Why?” asked Cuthbert sharply.

“Oh,” replied Basil, confused, “because I agree with you.  A gambler will not make a good lawyer—­or a good husband either,” he added in an abrupt tone.  “Good-day.  I’ll tell Juliet,” and he was off before Mallow could find words to answer his last remark.